Rodney McAree admitted Dungannon Swifts lacked the hunger shown by Portadown after suffering derby day misery following a heated affair at Shamrock Park.

The Swifts crashed to a 2-0 defeat against the league’s bottom club and McAree, who had no complaints with the result, instead turned his focus on what was a poor performance from his side.

“We didn’t deserve anything from the game,” he said.

Mark McAllister, a former Dungannon player, had given Portadown a 37th minute lead before Stephen Hughes wrapped up the win in the second half.

And McAree felt the Swifts had been out-battled by their opponents who simply wanted to win more than his troops.

“We didn’t compete as much as Portadown,” he added.

Swift's keeper, Andy Coleman is handed a red card for dissent after the final whistle following Saturday's match at Shamrock Park.'Photo by TONY HENDRON/Presseye.com.

“Portadown wanted to win more than us. Their Premiership survival was more important to them today than us trying to break into the top six.

“I thought that was evident in how they played and how we played.”

McAree felt the Swifts lacked basic effort.

“I’m disappointed as the one thing we ask for first and foremost is hard work, and I don’t think we worked hard enough today,” he added. “I don’t think our players worked as hard as they needed to to get a result.”

I’m disappointed as the one thing we ask for first and foremost is hard work, and I don’t think we worked hard enough today. I don’t think our players worked as hard as they needed to to get a result.

Rodney McAree

By contrast it was a memorable day for Niall Currie, appointed to the Portadown hot-seat earlier this month.

Currie took comfort from the desire and enthusiasm shown by his side and felt the Ports fully deserved their three points.

“I thought our application was superb. Our enthusiasm, our desire - all the things that you are looking for,” he said.

“You need that - especially the situation we are in - but I didn’t think we were devoid of quality today either.